Having studied hapkido for 10 years now. I would like to tell you that as a fighting art it is one of the most complete. It has striking,joint locks,strikes,throws, groundfighting, it doesnt purely focus on one thing but teaches you alot of everything. At advanced levels they have techniques where you can use your instep and knee to break your enemies knee. It is a very good system!!

*bows respectfully*

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No matter how fashionable it is on Krypton, I will not wear my underwear on the outside of my Gi!!

Hapkido is considered by many the Korean version of Japanese Jujitsu. Some stand up, holds, bars, ground fighting, sweeps, throws, etc. It really is a good martial art ... just like all of the others. All have something to offer if you look for it.

Its connection to Aiki-Jujits makes it look like Japanese Jujitsu or more like Aiki-do. But Hapkido likeness ends there Hapkido has as many hand and feet techniques as Tang-soo-do or Old style TKD.

It concentration is on Its Aiki-Jujits but it also emphasises kicks, I am particular impressed by their use of power kicks to the back and spine area this is usually totally a off limits in competition arts. And for good reason but its a valid target on the street.

I’m sure we’ve been through this before, but broad questions about the effectiveness of an art are near meangingless. It depends on so many factors, from the quality of the school and instructor to the student’s own experience and mindset. Hapkido is a very comprehensive martial art, focused on practical fighting and self-defence and providing its practioners with a wide range of skills. Whether they would be any use of the street depends if they’ve been practiced correctly. A lot of traditional martial arts have a weakness in that regard – the students spend too much of their time doing set moves on willing opponents (some make up for that with a sporting aspect, but then students get too used to fighting by rules, so it's a bit of a nowin situation). Still, I do Hapkido, and taught and practiced correctly, I would be willing to put a lot of faith in it.